Good for longer reference documents, longer pieces of writing, or collections of multimedia with commentary - anything that needs to be handy (including from mobile devices) but which is subject to change.

Depending on viewer’s browser settings, a potentially disorientating jump between software. PDFs are not readily editable by readers, so they can't apply their own fonts, spacing or backgrounds. PDF Reader software tends to have variable accessibility support depending on how document is formatted.

Requires separate software to access, which may not be installed. Once open, tends to be readily editable, so readers can apply their own fonts, spacing or backgrounds. Variable accessibility support depending on software used and how document is formatted.

Ease of editing

Direct in web browser (no special web skills needed).

Direct in web browser (no special web skills needed).

Entails creating new PDF and uploading again to overwrite the current version, ensuring no links from elsewhere are broken.

Entails uploading again to overwrite the current version, ensuring no links from elsewhere are broken. However, sophisticated formatting may be easier.

Version control

Good, there’s only one version, accessed online. No risk of out-of-date copies.

Fair, viewers encouraged to access online version, though can download as PDF.

Limited – can be downloaded. Risk of people referring to out-of-date copies.

Limited – can be downloaded and edited. Risk of people referring to out-of-date copies.

Save for offline access

Possible but not encouraged. Entails saving a web page.

Yes, if download PDF.

Yes.

Yes.

Mobile device support

Yes.

Yes.

Has to download rather than access online; attempts to launch separate app; may be hard to find again.

Has to download rather than access online; attempts to launch separate app; may be hard to find again.